Coupling with a bellows-protected interlocking driving connection

ABSTRACT

Coupling ( 1 ) with a bellows-protected interlocking driving connection ( 2 ), at least comprising a hub ( 3 ) and a sleeve ( 4 ), wherein the driving connection ( 2 ) is arranged between the hub ( 3 ) and sleeve ( 4 ), wherein the driving connection ( 2 ) is protected by a bellows ( 5 ), wherein the bellows ( 5 ) is located in a recess ( 6 ) of the hub ( 3 ) and is fastened at one end to the sleeve end region ( 8 ) and at the other end opposite the sleeve end region ( 8 ) to the hub ( 3 ), wherein the annular recess ( 6 ) is bounded at least by an annular hub inner surface ( 16 ) directed towards the driving connection ( 2 ) and by an opposite hub outer surface ( 9 ) formed with respect to the end side ( 11 ) of the hub ( 3 ), wherein there is an annular gap ( 10 ) between the sleeve end region ( 8 ) and the hub outer surface ( 9 ) of the recess ( 6 ). The intention is to avoid dust and dirt penetrating the bellows section as wave troughs and face the hub outer surface, in the recess present with the hub in region bellows and hub outer surface.

The invention relates to a coupling with a bellows-protected form-locking drive connection.

Conventional couplings bellows-protected form-fitting drive connection, for example, couplings with bellows-protected crowned for transmitting torques, are used for connecting a driving and a driven shaft to compensate for axial parallel, axial or angular displacements occurring between the two shafts.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional coupling with a bellows-protected form-locking driving connection in the form of a two-tooth coupling halves tooth gear coupling 30 with crowned gear 2, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sleeve hub portion of the conventional gear coupling 30 with crowned gear 2 and crowned gear 2 associated bellows seal according to FIG. 1 for rail vehicles according to the printed document DE 196 44 884 B4. The gear coupling 30 thus comprises at least one gear coupling hub 3 and the sleeve 4 closing the gear coupling hub 3, wherein the gear 2 is disposed between the hub 3 and the sleeve 4, wherein the gear 2 is protected by an annularly corrugated in cross section formed bellows 5 as a bellows seal, wherein the bellows 5 is located in a recess 6 of the hub 3 in the form of a cavity and one side on the sleeve end region 8 and on the other hand the sleeve end region 8 opposite fixed to the hub 3 at a junction 26,

wherein the annular recess 6, essentially directed from the gear 2 facing an annular hub inner face 16 and an opposed hub outer surface 9, formed on the front surface 11 of the hub 3, is limited to the hub outer surface 9, whereby an annular gap 10 between the sleeve end region 8 and the hub outer surface 9 of the recess 6 opens a bellows free chamber 20.

The present invention should therefore be useful not only for gear couplings 30 with crowned gear 2, but also useful for couplings with bellows-protected gear 2 and built in bellows sealing associated gears 2. Said recess 6 of the hub 3 is restricted by the hub inner surface 16, the hub outer surface 9 and the transition surface 22 connecting the hub inner surface 16 and the hub outer surface 9, wherein the bellows 5 is attached on the one hand in the region of the transition surface 22. The bellows 5 is placed in the cavity of the recess 6 and on the other hand at the end 7 of the recess 6 mounted almost securing the sleeve end region 8. The annular bellows 5 also represents the elastic closure for the gear 2 between the hub 3 and the sleeve 4. Between the end 7 of the sleeve end region 8 including bellows mounting 13 and the hub outer surface 9, the annular gap 10 is formed.

For clarification of the corrugated bellows 5 is defined: The bellows 5 shows a ring element, where the surface is formed wavy in cross-section. In the present invention, the hub outer surface 9 directed troughs of the bellows 5 are called bellows element free chambers 21. The part of the recess 6 disposed between the bellows element free chambers 21 and the hub outer surface 9 of the recess 6 is hereafter referred to as bellows free chamber 20.

A disadvantage is that both of the bellows 5 and the bellows free chamber 20, but in particular formed by the bellows 5 bellows element free chambers 21, are not protected in the area 9 between the bellows 5 and the outer hub surface against dirt and dust particles. The bellows element free chamber 21 outgoing from the annular gap 10 is in particular affected by obstructive dirt and dust deposited particles, wherein the deposited particles reduce the elasticity of bellows elements 25 and thus reduce said misalignments and displacements. The dirt and dust deposited on the wavy side by side formed in cross section bellows element free chambers 21 and wherein the dirt and dust particles thus affecting in particular the elasticity of the individual undulating bellows elements 25, which form the bellows 5.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a coupling with bellows protected form-fitting drive connection, which is such suitable formed, that the penetration of dust and dirt in the driving connection, for example, the gear facing away relative to the bellows free chamber, particularly in the formed in the cross-section as a wave valley and the hub outer surface facing bellows element free spaces existing within the hub recess, can be avoided in the region between the bellows and the hub outer surface.

The object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The coupling with bellows protected form-locking drive connection, at least comprising a hub and a sleeve, wherein the drive connection is arranged between the hub and sleeve, wherein the drive connection is protected by a bellows, wherein the bellows is located in a recess of the hub and on the one hand on the sleeve end region and on the other hand the sleeve end region is oppositely fixed to the hub at a junction, wherein the annular recess is substantially defined by a directed towards the drive connection annular hub inner surface and an opposed, formed on the face of the hub outer surface, an annular gap between the sleeve end region and the hub outer surface of the recess is present,

wherein according to the characterizing portion of claim 1

at least a elastic annular sealing element is disposed in the area/region between the corrugated annular bellows having bellows elements and the hub outer surface, wherein the sealing element seals at least one of the annular gap adjacent wave trough in cross-section bellows element free chamber of a bellows element.

The positive driving connection can be a toothing.

A first inventive elastic annular sealing element may by a specially shaped ring exterior and a specially shaped ring inside by the sleeve end region with the involvement of the bellows mounting by sleeve means of two end of sleeve end region partially surrounding ring outside elongated ring lips be fixed and may be in the ring interior have an outwardly directed elastic sealing lip on the hub outer surface rests resiliently and sealingly and on the hub outer surface closes by its sealing lip proper support the annular gap.

The first elastic sealing element may be in one, especially in the first bellows element free chamber as ring outside, at least, the first inwardly disposed annular lip which is adapted to the bellows element free chamber a bellows element partially or completely, and may have directed to the face of the hub elastic sealing lip of an annular inner area.

The first elastic annular sealing element may consist of an elastomer such as polyurethane foam, plastic or rubber.

A second inventive elastic annular sealing element may close the annular gap, wherein the second sealing element engages at least with its annular outer region in at least one of the bellows element free chamber

Bellows element free chamber ring region of the second sealing element in the form of a sealing ring on the hub outer surface of the recess rests contactingly. The second elastic annular sealing element may engage at least with its outer ring area in the form of a ring sealing lip, especially in the first the sleeve end region closest bellows element free chamber of lying at the hub of sleeve end region bellows free chamber. In addition, the sealing ring of the second sealing element may be rectangular or square not only in cross-section, but can also serve as an elastic directed to the end face of the hub inclined resilient, always be designed with displacements on the hub outer surface contacting the sealing lip.

The second elastic annular sealing element may consist of polyethylene foam.

A third inventive elastic annular sealing element may also close the annular gap, wherein the third sealing element filled the bellows free chamber of the hub in one free bellows element free chamber or in all bellows element free chambers in the form of annular sealing lips filled out and with its ring inner region on the hub outerface preferably in the form in the cross section of a rectangle or square sealing ring contacting rests.

The third elastic annular sealing element may be made of foam, in particular made of polyethylene foam material.

A fourth inventive elastic annular sealing element may be formed connected to one another in the annular inner area, the annular outer area representing annular sealing lips which fill the hub outer surface opposite designed as troughs, in cross section with the formed out of wave valleys bellows element free chambers the bellows elements in a bellows element free space, in several or in all bellows element free spaces, wherein the sealing element with its ring interior is spaced from the hub outer surface, and wherein the occupied bellows element free spaces sealed and thus the bellows element free spaces are protected.

The elastic material of the sealing elements inserted into the bellows element free chambers can firmly adhere to the inner surface of the bellows element free chambers or may be clamped in the bellows element free chambers.

The fourth elastic annular sealing element may be made of foam, in particular made of polyethylene foam.

The inserted elastic annular sealing element may be formed into a combination sealing element by at least two of the above sealing elements being combined.

The bellows, in particular the bellows element free chambers are both protected against dirt and dust with the employed elastic annular sealing element according to the present invention. Further developments and special embodiments of the inventive coupling with bellows-protecting form-fitting driving connection are given in the further subclaims.

The invention is illustrated by means of several embodiments with reference to drawings.

They depict:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of a coupling with a bellows-protecting form-matching driving connection in the form of a gear coupling with toothing according to the prior art,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the sleeve hub region of the conventional gear coupling with toothing according to the prior art shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling according to the invention with bellows-protecting form-matching driving connection in the form of a gear coupling with toothing, and a first elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of the gear coupling according to the invention with toothing according to FIG. 3 and the first elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a gear coupling according to the invention with toothing and a second elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of a gear coupling according to the invention with toothing according to FIG. 5 and the second elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the outer hub surface opposite the bellows,

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a gear coupling according to the invention with toothing and a third elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of a gear coupling according to the invention with toothing according to FIG. 7 and the third elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows,

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a gear coupling according to the invention with toothing and a fourth elastic annular seal element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows, wherein the said fourth sealing element fills the bellows element free chambers completely and not directly resting on the hub outer surface, but is spaced from it at a distance, and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of a gear coupling according to the invention with toothing according to FIG. 9 and the fourth elastic annular sealing element between the bellows and the hub outer surface opposite the bellows.

In the following, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are considered.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coupling according to the invention with bellows-protecting form-matching driving connection in the form of two gear coupling halves forming gear coupling 1, each with toothing 2 and the first elastic annular sealing element 121 between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5 and in FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of the inventive gear coupling 1 with toothing 2 according to FIG. 3 and the first elastic annular seal element 121 between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5 shown.

Only one tooth coupling half is occupied by reference numerals for clarity.

The gear coupling 1 shown therein with toothing 2 comprises at least one hub 3 and a sleeve 4, wherein between the hub 3 and the sleeve 4, the toothing 2 is arranged, wherein the toothing 2 is protected by the bellows 5, wherein the bellows 5 is in a recess 6 of the hub 3 and is on the one hand on the sleeve end region 8 and on the other hand the sleeve end region 8 fixed opposite to the hub 3 at a junction 26,

wherein the annular recess 6 is essentially limited from one to the toothing 2 facing annular hub inner face 16 and an opposed, directed on the front face 11 of the hub 3, the hub outer surface 9, whereby an annular gap 10 between the sleeve end region 8 and the hub outer surface 9 of the recess 6 is present and a bellows element free chamber 20 opens.

According to the invention a elastic annular sealing element 12, 121 is formed in the area/region between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9, whereby the sealing element 12, 121 at least seals off the annular gap 10 adjacent to the bellows element free chamber 21 designed as wave trough in cross-section enlarged in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4 show the first elastic annular sealing element 121 is formed such that it at least the annular gap 10 between sleeve end region 8 and the hub outer surface 9 of the hub 3 is sealed.

The recess 6 of the hub 3 is restricted by the toothing 2 facing away from hub inner surface 16, one of the toothing 2 facing hub outer surface 9 and one between the hub inner face 16 and the hub outer surface 9 of the transition surface 22 to a junction 26, or on the other hand mounted in the region of the bellows 5. The bellows 5 is placed in the annular cavity of the recess 6 and on the other hand arrested at the end 7 of the sleeve end region 8 sleeve end region locked by means of a bellows mounting 13. The annular bellows 5 represents a protective cap for the toothing 2 between the hub 3 and sleeve 4. In order to enable axial and radial displacements, the annular gap 10 is formed between the end 7 of the sleeve end region 8 including the bellows mounting 13 and the hub outer surface. 9

In particular, the bellows element free chambers 21 are susceptible to contamination, affecting the dynamic displacement capability between the hub 3 and sleeve 4.

FIG. 4, with respect to FIG. 3, is an enlarged view, therefore, a first elastic annular sealing element 121 with a specially formed annular outer region 17 and with a specially formed annular inner region 18 of sleeve end region 8 under the bellows mounting 13 by means of two partially surrounding ring outer region 17 elongated holding ring seal lips 14 and 15 attached to the end 7 of the sleeve end region 8. It has in the ring interior region 18 an outwardly directed elastic sealing lip 19 which rests sealingly and elastically on the hub outer surface 9 and which closes the annular gap by its sealing lip properly resting on the hub outer surface 9, closing the annular gap 10.

Between the two elongated annular lips 14 and 15, a free space is present in that at least fits the inserted end of the 7 sleeve end region 8.

According to another modified embodiment (not graphically illustrated) of the first sealing element 121 may include at least one, especially in the first bellows element free chamber 21, the first inwardly located annular lips 14, formed as an annular lip 23 and the bellows element free chamber 21 is partially or completely adapted as annular outer region 17 are placed and as an annular inner region 18 which to the front side face 11 of the hub 3, directed elastic sealing lip 19 may be formed. The first elastic annular sealing element 121 can for example consist of the elastic material polyurethane plastic.

The ring inner region 18 may also instead of the elastic sealing lip 19 as an elastic, in cross section the rectangular formed sealing ring 24 which may be connected homogeneously with the annular lip 14 as an annular outer region 17, as shown in FIG. 5 and shown in FIG. 6, such that second elastic seal is formed 122 as described in the following.

In the following, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are considered together.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the invention of a gear coupling 1 with toothing 2 and a second elastic annular seal element 122 between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9 disposed opposite the bellows 5 and in FIG. 6 there is shown an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of the invention gear coupling 1 with toothing 2 and the second elastic annular seal element 122 between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5 is shown.

In FIG. 6, the second elastic annular sealing element 12, 122, specified in a enlarged sectional view, is displayed, which in a at least with its annular outer portion 17 which fills a bellows element free chamber 21 of the in the hub 3 of the sleeve end region 8 bellows free chamber 20 in the form of a thickened annular lip 23 engages, wherein the ring inner region 8 of the elastic sealing element 122 on the hub outer surface 9 of the recess 6 in the form of a widened sealing ring 24 relative to the ring lip 23 rests contacting.

Here, the second elastic annular sealing element 122 made of the elastic material is preferably made of polyethylene (PE) foam.

In the following, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, are considered together. In FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the invention gear coupling 1 with teeth 2 and a third elastic annular seal element 123 between the bellows 5 and hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5 and in FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub region of the invention gear coupling 1 with toothing 2 and the third elastic annular seal element 123 is shown between the bellows 5 and the opposite hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5.

In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the third elastic annular sealing element 12, 123 is shown, which the hub 3 disposed opposite the bellow free chamber 20 of this bellows 5 at least in at least one bellows element free chamber 21, in several or in all bellows element free chambers 21 in the form of annular sealing lips 23 fills and which rests sealingly on the hub outer surface 9 with its annular inner region 18.

The engaging ring sealing lips 23 can be ring connected to each other on the inner side of the region wherein the bellows element free chambers 21 are possibly connected to each other possibly foamed and engaging ring sealing lips 23 can regional side connected to each other. The sealing ring 24 coordinated to the ring inner region 18 supported on the existing and interconnected ring sealing lips 23 of the hub surface 9. The sealing ring 24 can therefore be foamed and engaging in the annular sealing lips 23 the bellows element free chambers 21 and staggered. Alternatively, the manufactured polyethylene foam ring sealing lips 23 can be inserted into the bellows element free chamber 21 and thus pretentioned.

Here, the third elastic annular seal element 123 made of the elastic material is can consist of polyethylene (PE) foam material.

In the following, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are considered together.

In FIG. 9 is displayed a cross-sectional view of an invention gear coupling 1 with toothing 2 and a fourth elastic annular sealing element 124 between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5, wherein the fourth sealing element 124 fills completely the bellows element free chambers 21 and not directly on the hub outer surface 9 rest, and shown in FIG. 10, is an enlarged view of the sleeve hub portion of a gear coupling 1 according to the invention with toothing 2 of FIG. 9 and the fourth elastic annular sealing element 124 between the bellows 5 and the hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows 5.

The fourth elastic annular sealing element 12, 124 is formed with annular sealing lips 23 formed the annular inner region 18 and connected to each other the annular outer region 17 which preferably in all bellows element free chambers 21, the hub outer surface 9 opposite the bellows element free chambers 21 of the bellows elements 25 is preferably filled in all bellow element free chambers 21 and where in the sealing member 124 with its annular inner region 18 from the hub outer surface 9 is, the covered bellows element free chambers 21 are sealed off and the bellows element free chambers 21 are protected. The recess 6 belonging to the bellows free chamber 20 is thus largely a free chamber without material.

The fourth sealing element 124 can be distinguished essentially from the third sealing element 123 by the absence of a sealing ring 24 engaging or a sealing lip 19 contacting the hub outer surface 9.

Here, the fourth elastic annular sealing element 123 may also be made of the elastic material Polyethylene (PE) foam material.

With the elastic annular sealing element 12 and its specified variants 121, 122, 123, 124 both the bellows 5 in particular the bellows element free chambers 21 and also to a large extent the hub outer surface 9 and the junction 26 between the hub 3 and bellows 5 at the transition point 22 are safe from dirt and dust. The elastic annular seal element 12 essentially constitutes a bellows protection element. The sealing elements 12; 121, 122, 123, 124 may be thus formed and manufactured that the ring outer region 17 and ring inner region 18 are not separated from each other, but parts of a sealing element produced in one piece 12; 121, 122, 123, 124.

On the other hand, the sealing elements 12; 121, 122, 123, 124 can also be formed and manufactured such that ring outer region 17 and ring inner region 18 are region positions produced from each other or respectively ring outer region 17 and inner ring region 18 comprise of at least two region locations, the elastic annular sealing elements 12; 121, 122, 123, 124 are preferably adhesively joined together.

The elastic annular sealing element 12 may be formed into a combination sealing element by at least two combinations of the previously said elastic sealing elements 121, 122, 123, 124 are summarized.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 coupling with a bellows-protecting form-fitting drive     connection/gear coupling -   2 drive connection/toothing -   3 hub -   4 sleeve -   5 bellows -   6 annular recess -   7 end -   8 sleeve end region -   9 annular outer hub surface -   10 annular gap -   11 front surface of the hub -   12 elastic annular seal element -   121 first elastic annular sealing element -   122 second elastic annular seal element -   123 third elastic annular seal element -   124 fourth elastic annular seal element -   13 bellows mounting -   14 first annular lip -   15 second annular lip -   16 annular hub inner surface -   17 annular outer region -   18 annular inner region -   19 sealing lip -   20 big bellows free chamber -   21 bellows element free chamber/s -   22 transition surface -   23 ring sealing lip -   24 sealing ring -   25 bellows element -   26 junction gear coupling with toothing according to the state of     the art 

1. Coupling (1) with a bellows-protecting form-locking drive connection (2), at least comprising a hub (3) and a sleeve (4), wherein the drive connection (2) is arranged between the hub (3) and sleeve (4), wherein the drive connection (2) is protected by a bellows (5), wherein the bellows (5) is located in a recess (6) of the hub (3) on one hand at the sleeve end region (8) and on the other hand the sleeve end region (8), resting opposite one another on the hub (3), wherein the annular recess (6) is at least limited by annular hub inner surface (16) directed towards the drive connection (2) and is formed by the hub outer surface (9) and the front surface (11) of the hub (3) wherein an annular gap (10) between the sleeve end region (8) and said hub outer surface (9) if the recess (6) is present, characterized in, that at least an elastic annular sealing element (12, 121, 122, 123, 124), wherein the region between the wave formed annular bellows (5) with bellow element (25) and the hub outer surface (9), wherein the sealing element (12) and a ring gap (10) adjacent seals at least one bellows element free chamber (21) of a bellows element (25) is, in cross-section, formed as a wave valley, characterized in that at least an elastic annular sealing element (12, 121, 122, 123, 124) is disposed in the area/region between the corrugated annular bellows (5) with bellows elements (25) and the hub outer surface (9), wherein the sealing element (12) seals at least one of the annular gap (10) adjacent wave trough in cross section bellows element free chamber (21) of a bellows element (25).
 2. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized such that the coupling (1) with bellows-protecting form-fitting drive connection (2) is a gear coupling having at least one crowned toothing with bellows sealing.
 3. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that, a first elastic annular sealing element (12, 121) with an adapted formed ring outer region (17) and with an adapted formed inner ring region (18) on sleeve end region (8) with the involvement of the bellows mounting (13) by means of two ends (7) of sleeve end regions (8) partially surrounding the ring outer region (17) of elongated ring lips (14, 15) which are fixed and the annular inner portion (18) has a forward and outward slanting elastic sealing lip (19) on the hub outer surface (9) elastically and sealingly rests and by their proper sealing lip bearing on the hub outer surface (9) close the annular gap (10).
 4. Coupling according to claim 3, characterized, that the first elastic sealing element (12, 121) is located in at least one, especially in the first bellows element free chamber (21) as an annular outer region (17), wherein the first inwardly disposed annular lip (14), designed as an annular lip (23), that the bellows element free chamber (21) of a bellows element (25) is adapted partially or completely, and as an annular inner region (18) which the front face (11) of the hub (3) directed elastic sealing lip (19) exhibits.
 5. Coupling according to claim 3, characterized, that said first elastic annular sealing element (12, 121) is made of elastic material in the form of an elastomer such as polyurethane plastic or rubber.
 6. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized, that a second resilient annular sealing element (12, 122) closes the annular gap (10) that the at least with its outer ring area (17) located in at least one of bellows element free chambers (21) in the hub (3) of the sleeve end region (8) bellows free chamber (20), wherein the ring inner portion (18) of the sealing element (12, 122) rests contacting in the form of an elastic sealing ring (24) or in the form of an elastic sealing lip (19) on the hub outer surface (9) of the recess (6).
 7. Coupling according to claim 6, characterized, that the second elastic annular sealing element (12, 122) closes the annular gap (10), wherein the sealing member (12, 122) at least with its outer ring region (17) located in the first sleeve end region (8) closest bellows element free chamber (21) of the hub (3) of the sleeve end regions (8) lying bellows free chambers (20) engages.
 8. Coupling according to claim 6, characterized, that the second elastic annular sealing element (12, 122) consists of an elastic polyethylene foam material.
 9. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized, that a third elastic annular sealing element (12, 123) closes the annular gap (10), wherein the sealing member (12, 123) fills to the hub (3) opposite bellows free chamber (20) of the bellows (5) in several or in all bellows element free chambers (21) and with its inner ring region (18) resting on the hub outer surface (9) in form of an elastic sealing ring (24) contactingly.
 10. Coupling according to claim 9, characterized, that the third elastic annular seal element (12, 123) is made of elastic foam material.
 11. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that a fourth elastic annular sealing element (12, 124) connected to itself in the annular inner region (18), forming the ring outer region (17) of annular sealing lips (23), the hub outer surface (9) opposite the bellows element free chambers (21) of the bellows elements (25) filled in at least one, several or preferably all bellows element free chambers (21), wherein the sealing member (12, 124) with its inner ring region (18) from said hub outer surface (9) is arranged at a distance and wherein the occupied bellows element free chambers (21) are sealed and thus the bellows element free chambers (21) are protected.
 12. Coupling according to claim 11, characterized, that the fourth elastic annular seal element (12, 124) is made of elastic foam material.
 13. Coupling according to claim 1, characterized, that in the bellows element free chambers (21) the inserted elastic material of the sealing elements (12, 121, 122, 123, 124) is strongly fixed to the inner surface of the bellows element free chambers (21) or is clamped in the bellows element free chambers (21).
 14. A coupling according to claim 1, characterized, that the sealing elements (12, 121, 122, 123, 124) are formed and produced in such a way that the annular outer region (17) and the ring inner region (18) are mutually separately produced region parts or the annular outer region (17) and the ring inner region (18) consist at least of at least two region positions which are combined with each other through a sealing member (12, 121, 122, 123, 124).
 15. A coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the annular outer region (17) and the ring inner region (18) form parts of in each case of a single piece produced sealing element (12, 121, 122, 123, 124).
 16. A coupling according to claim 1, characterized, that the elastic annular sealing element (12) is formed into a combination sealing element, wherein at least two of the sealing elements (121, 122, 123, 124) are combined as elements. 